Trailer Tires

[WHX?? 57,117]

So the enclosed trailer that @Achto and I took out to the BS needs new shoes in ST205-75R 15 but on the fence about what to get. If money was no object I would get Goodyear Endurance  but at $186 a tire it's a tough pill to swallow for a trailer that sits most of the time. Or go with a cheaper probably offshore one. 

The price range on tires is so wide... $70 apiece  to $190.

No matter what brand load range D speed rating 80 minimums. 

Keep in mind I have three tandems to keep shoes on plus two singles.

Camper toy hauler always gets the premiums do to the damage that is possible with a blow out. @Pullstart and @jeremi3210 might know a thing or two about that. 

Trailer gurus say change tires every three years with better ones every five years. 

I do generally carry a spare especially on long hauls. 

Pics for attention. 

 

Edited 14 hours ago by WHX??

[Kenneth R Cluley 683]

I have also experienced the dreaded blow out and "collateral damage".  I bit the bullet and got the Endurance for both my trailers that get used most often but put chinesium's on the travel trailer that we don't move from our property possibly two to three times a year. Difficult for me to replace a tire at three or five years that shows little or no wear, but I guess that's the price we pay for peace of mind. I feel better on the highway towing with the Goodyears. We had a flat then a blowout on travel trailer (spare was really old) and thought "Good Sam" roadside would save us. They quoted $795.00 and three hour wait to bring me a Walmart trailer tire. So remember to upgrade spare as well. 

[WHX?? 57,117]

3 minutes ago, Kenneth R Cluley said:

Difficult for me to replace a tire at three or five years that shows little or no wear,

Right?? 

They say the sun does more damage than anything. 

[ri702bill 12,333]

48 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Right?? 

They say the sun does more damage than anything. 

That's why you see the tire cover booties on motorhomes & campers.

There is no excuse not to check & adjust the cold tire pressures before heading out.... and being adequately prepared to loose one (or two) along the way.

Besides, do you really want to listen to your better half constructively carring on (whining) while you change a flat?? 

Edited 13 hours ago by ri702bill

[SylvanLakeWH 31,625]

42 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

They say the sun does more damage than anything.

 

I run Goodyear and change every 5 years or so...

 

Plus I think anecdotally, the quality is not what it used to be... 

 

I am actually thinking of selling my trailer and just renting one when I need it... 2-3 times a year ain't worth tires bearings and storage... probably won't but ...

[ri702bill 12,333]

2 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

 

I run Goodyear and change every 5 years or so...

 

Plus I think anecdotally, the quality is not what it used to be... 

 

I am actually thinking of selling my trailer and just renting one when I need it... 2-3 times a year ain't worth tires bearings and storage... probably won't but ...

Ah, but how old are the tires on the rental???!!

[WHX?? 57,117]

28 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

while you change a flat?? 

That's no problem long hauls I always throw a torque wrench in. It's the collateral damage when running the mayblow brand.

 

29 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

selling my trailer and just renting one when I need it... 

That's what @Andy N. said once now lookit what he bought. He showed up more than once at show with a u haul.

It's actually not a bad idea for the 2-3 but I come from the I need it it's there school. 

 

29 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Ah, but how old are the tires on the rental???!!

And who checks the tire pressure lug nuts?!? 

I typically run 5 psi less than max figuring going to max when running the interstate at 70 and 90 out. 

[JoeM 10,066]

And then there is the guy who goes to the junk yard, removes a couple tires from a crown vic and never has any issues! 

 

I know when pulling with a load I stop every couple hours and put my hand on the tires and hubs checking for excessive heat.

There was one time i found a hot one and it was under inflated. must have missed it when I was doing the pre-trip. I had one of those cheep o compressors and 20 minutes later good to go, next stop no heat.

 

 

[Achto 32,008]

Some top 10 suggested trailer tires along with some basic use aplications.

 

1. Goodyear Endurance
   Often considered the gold standard for travel trailers and heavy cargo loads. It features Goodyear's Durawall technology for sidewall protection and runs cooler over long hauls. It is Speed Rated "N" (up to 87 mph). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

2. Carlisle Radial Trail HD
   A staple for boat, RV, and livestock trailers. Known for its exceptional heat dissipation, heavy-duty ply construction, and resistance to curb impact and punctures. [1, 2, 3, 4]

 

3. Trailer King RST II
   An upgraded version of the popular Trailer King RST, known for its excellent heat-dissipation design and steady, straight-line tracking. It is highly favored for continuous highway travel. [1, 2, 3, 4]
4. Sailun S637T
   An all-steel radial tire designed specifically for heavy-duty commercial applications, large multi-axle trailers, and heavy RVs. Highly durable and able to handle massive weight capacities. [1]
5. Power King Towmax STR II
   A reliable choice designed for travel trailers and high-capacity towing. It provides superior stability and boasts a robust tread design that ensures extended tire life. [1, 2, 3, 4]
6. Westlake ST100
   Equipped with dual steel belts, making it a great option for heavy RVs, toy haulers, and flatbeds. It resists uneven wear and handles highway speeds well. [1]
7. Gladiator QR25-TS
   Built with a highly robust construction designed to handle 5th wheelers and heavy cargo hauling safely. It prioritizes sturdy load ratings and impact resistance. [1]
8. Thunderer ST Radial R501
   Features deep tread optimized for long-haul highway towing, ensuring smooth rolling over thousands of miles. [1]
9. Triangle TR653
   A multi-purpose utility trailer tire recognized for solid shock absorption and reliable traction in both dry and wet road conditions. [1]
10. Kenda Loadstar (Bias/Radial)
    A versatile option that is offered in both radial and bias-ply options, highly popular for boat, snowmobile, and utility trailers. They feature a flatter tread profile for better weight distribution and wear. [1, 2, 3, 4]

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Achto

[ebinmaine 79,328]

We bought the carlstars. Seems good. Barring unforeseen issues I'd buy those again.

[jeremi3210 747]

6 hours ago, WHX?? said:

jeremi3210 might know a thing or two about that. 

Yes I do! Remember when I picked.the truck up with my new trailer and we talked about my spare tire on it being one of the take offs from my camper. The other day I walked past it to find it blown out hanging as a spare ive got 2 brand new Carlisle now.for spares. No more messing the them junk tires...

[ebinmaine 79,328]

6 minutes ago, jeremi3210 said:

Yes I do! Remember when I picked.the truck up with my new trailer and we talked about my spare tire on it being one of the take offs from my camper. The other day I walked past it to find it blown out hanging as a spare ive got 2 brand new Carlisle now.for spares. No more messing the them junk tires...

 

 

That's pretty much what we did. When we bought the new camper last fall one of the immediate modifications was to put larger and more heavy duty tires on it. I went from a 14 to a 15 and if I recall correctly, two sizes wider. That stepped up my Tire carry capacity quite a lot. I also bought two extras. Four new rims and four new tires total.

I'm hoping I never have to use one, much less both. And if that's the case it was still worth every cent just for the Peace of mind. But they will be rotated into the wear pattern for about 5 to 7 years depending on cracking. After that, yard usage or trash.

 

 

 

[WHX?? 57,117]

Thanks Dan I've got a bit to digest ther and a lot more homework.  

 

4 hours ago, jeremi3210 said:

spare tire on it being one of the take offs from my camper.

I got to rethink my spare situation then. Tear offs from the camper or some other trailer. Figured it would always get me a tire place but if they blow on the carrier?!?!?!

[ebinmaine 79,328]

2 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

rethink my spare situation

 

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

I also bought two extras. Four new rims and four new tires total.

 

If it's between you and the ground...

Spend the money.  

Tires. Bedding. Footwear.  

[Beap52 2,324]

I took a chance and purchased the tires (see sticker below) for our 24' camper online in 2019.  They never see sunshine except when on the road  and camping as I cut plywood to fit into the wheel well openings. .  I run them at 65 lbs and seldom hit 65 mph going down the highway.  Most trips-usually three or four a year-are 40~90 miles round trip and one or two 250 miles round trip.  I usually stop about every hour of driving and feel them and the backside of the brake housing for differences in heat.   At home, they are parked on a rubber mat and some of the weight taken off by use of the stabilizers.  They seem to hold tire pressure well between trips. 

 

The second picture was taken for this post.  The valve stem cap is off because my neighbor  gave me a tire mender pressure monitor that I remove when I get home.   My wife's Michelins that are newer than these have more tiny cracks than these foreign jobs. 

 

I also watch the date code on the sidewalls of tires. 

[8ntruck 9,002]

Buy the Goodyears. 

 

I get a pension check every month from Goodyear. 

[WHX?? 57,117]

22 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

Buy the Goodyears. 

 

I get a pension check every month from Goodyear. 

Slide me some of that check I'll think about it .... 

[tunahead72 2,633]

Hey Jim, you might want to check out the Hankook Vantra trailer tires.  I have a pair in your size on my 5'x10' utility trailer, about 4 -1/2 years old, so far so good.  Just drove them down to Virginia and back over the last couple of weeks, absolutely no issues.  Even exceeded my own personal 70 mph limit with a trailer a few times, no problems.